Neptune's Lace

Triphyllozoon inornatum

Also known as: Bryozoan, Lace Mat, Sea Mat

ALSO KNOWN AS

Bryozoan
Lace Mat
Sea Mat

Tissue-like growth, appearing on different types of coral. — Neptune's Lace adult, photographed at Coral Gardens, Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines — @blogie · Coral Gardens, Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines · December 20111 / 1

Overview

Found attached to overhangs, walls, and sometimes clinging to other invertebrates, over coral and rocky reefs.

Bryozoa are tiny microscopic celled animals that live in a soft membranous cell in colonies that could be just a few or a few million in size. Tiny tentacles protrude form an opening to catch plankton.
Some colonies can be 1mm in height as flat sheets while others resemble plant or coral and are often mistaken as such.

How to identify

COLOURS

white

Body shape: lace

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Indo-Pacific
Country only · 1

LIVES IN

Found attached to overhangs, walls, and sometimes clinging to other invertebrates, over coral and rocky reefs.

RANGE

Indo-Pacific

Adult photos 1

Discussion

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ALL STAGES

FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

Deep dive

Taxonomy

kingdomAnimalia
phylumBryozoa
classGymnolaemata
orderCheilostomatida
familyPhidoloporidae
genusTriphyllozoon
speciesTriphyllozoon inornatum Harmer, 1934

SourcesWoRMS